Over 100 students traveled to Alfred State College on March 3rd to represent the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center (OCTEC) and the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center (NCTEC) at the Area 1 SkillsUSA Regional Conference. We are very proud of Animation, Film and VFX student Gabriel Pagacz (North Tonawanda), who had his design chosen for the t-shirts for the SkillsUSA Region 1 competition.
The Orleans/Niagara BOCES SkillsUSA students competed in several contests after preparing the last several months in their career and technical education programs. The SkillsUSA Championships begin at the local chapters across the country. Local winners advance to the New York State competition, testing their skills against competitors from other schools. The gold medalists then compete at the National SkillsUSA competition in June where they hope to earn gold, silver and bronze medallions, scholarships, tools of the trade and even job offers! The SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference is one of the largest hands-on workforce development events in the world that features 6,5000 state champions across the United States who compete in head-to-head in over 114 skilled and leadership competitions.
First Place
Elliot Beyrle (CNC Competition)
Kayla Garcia (Cosmetology Jr)
Savannah Spoth (Cosmetology Sr)
Kaydence Boyle (Custom Painting & Graphics)
Luke Duffina (Exercise Science)
Terrell Frerichs (Starpoint)
Tanek Jager (Internetworking)
Adelynne Lacy, Aurora Owczarczak, Penelope Schalck, Emily Miner (Health Knowledge Bowl)
Lauren Nagel (Job Demo)
Erica Smith (Diesel Equipment Tech)
Josh Zayac (Technical Math)
Second Place
Kaylee Burkey (Commercial Baking)
Emily Case (Ad Design)
Julia Cimato (Nail Care)
Colby Billingsly, Kara Browning & Kacie Disinger (Crime Scene Investigation)
Matthew Garven (Power Equipment Tech)
Nickolas Gauvreau (CNC)
Tailis Hayes (Small Engine Repair)
Bain Holloway (Prepared Speech)
Elian Rodriguez (Restaurant Services)
Mia Schroeder (Early Childhood Ed)
Nicholas Trifiliti (Diesel Equipment Tech)
Third Place
Olyvia Berg (Ad Design)
Lyla Bower (Food Prep)
Anthony Dipaolo (Power Equipment Tech)
Steven Dunn (Carpenter's Assistant)
Madison Grahm (Culinary Arts)
Cristafaro Interisano (Masonry)
Carter Kopp (Diesel Equipment Tech)
Matthew Maines (Welding)
Mia McCormick, Samantha Robbins, Natalie Smith and Jaila Sherman (Health Knowledge Bowl)
Ryan Pegelow (Exercise Science)
Samantha Serafini (Cosmetology)
Connor Surman (Power Equipment Technology)
Brandon Tamul (Carpentry)
Nathan Woodward (Heavy Equipment Operations)
Congratulations to our winners! We are so proud of everyone who competed.